My final month as Governor was as jam packed as I could make it as I sought to attend as many events as I could along with Changeovers. I got to attend the finals of both Balwyn’s Voice of Youth showcase and Wynspeak and also got along to both Bacchus Marsh and Castlemaine Art Shows. I managed to squeeze in visits to Camberwell Sunday Market run by Balwyn with assistance from other clubs and also the Boroondara Farmers Market run by Glenferrie. I visited the OP Shop run by Werribee and was once again inspired by the students taking part in the Science and Engineering Challenge. I also chaired my final District Board and District Leadership and Engagement Team meetings in between attending nine Changeovers including the big one my changeover to Graeme Hope.
It’s hard to believe that not only my 12 months as Governor but also the entire 3 and a bit year journey to both becoming and being DG is coming to an end. I have had the time of my life and enjoyed every moment. I have had the opportunity to visit all of our clubs and attend a variety of events and functions and along the way reconnected with Rotarians I have known for years while meeting and making new friends.
My sincere thanks to our District Board and the District Leadership and Engagement Team for their hard work and dedication. In particular, my debt of gratitude to District Secretary Marjorie for keeping me organized and providing sound advice when needed and to my brother from another my twin IPDG Michael who was my sounding board and quiet supporter at all times. My thanks to all the Club Presidents and members for their hospitality and support and for leaning into my messages about belonging and collaboration. To the members of my club Altona my gratitude for letting me go over the last 12 months to give the role my full attention and look forward to returning to play my part in helping grow our club into the future.
To my wardrobe mistress/home diary secretary and my aide/driver/confidante who I know as Mum and Dad but to the rest of you are Neil and Joan Shepheard, my heartfelt thanks for not only urging me on from the very beginning but putting up with an at times hectic year and working their schedules to fit mine.
A Shout Out to PDG Dennis Shore supported by his wife Lynda who completed the third year of his 4-year term as Trustee of The Rotary Foundation. Not only has he represented our District with grace and dedication but along with his fellow Trustees works to ensure The Rotary Foundation remains our engine to fund projects and does so not only efficiently using funds raised, but while earning highest praise from external groups for the strong Governance that ensures funds are used wisely. And my Thanks to Dennis and Lynda for being amazing ambassadors for our District all over the world.
My thanks too to Judy Kidman from Kangaroo Flat who helped me settle on Shep’s ShoutOut as the name for my messaging this year for my articles in Networker. Moreover it inspired me to give every club a ShoutOut and award them a certificate for the program or project from their club which caught my eye. Please click on this link for the list of Club Awards.
So what’s next for me I hear you ask? Well I’m going to be Secretary and Foundation Chair at my club Altona, Secretary of the District Youth Exchange Committee, Fundraising Chair on the District Foundation Committee and Community Leader for RCG5 which is the Calder Hwy through Bendigo to Echuca Moama Clubs. I will also be the Treasurer and ambassador for the Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge and I am looking forward to joining Jonathan Shepherd, Ian Salek and the team and becoming part of the Rotary and Community Service Radio show on 94.1FM 3WBC.
So that's a wrap from me.
If you'd like to hear my reflections on what has truly been the best year ever, click the link below to watch my reworked version of I Did It My Way.
And just before you listen... the AI version you're about to hear is exactly how it sounded in my head while I was writing and singing it!
